GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Last year, in the fourth game of his first season as quarterback of Grand Valley State, sophomore Heath Parling heard something rare directed at a Laker at Lubbers Stadium — boos.

As he got closer to the sidelines, he caught an earful of specifics.

Sure, you hear it, but it’s really not a big deal; it’s part of the game, so I really don’t care,” Parling said. “Once you get in the game, if you’re still worried about getting booed from the stands, you’re going to get your head knocked off quick. Then you won’t be playing very long anyway.”

Was he fair game?

No, according to Matt Mitchell, coach of the Lakers. There’s a difference.

“I think if they’re booing the coaching staff and the ones who have a full-time salary, I don’t have a problem with that at all,” he said. “But our student-athletes — we don’t have anyone on a full-time scholarship and the reason they came here is not just for the football. At some point, when you got a fan down by the fence calling him out for his play, I think that might be crossing the line a little bit.

“If they’re booing the general overall performance of the team, I can understand that. But when it gets personal and directed at personal players, I would say at any level that’s crossing the line.”

Tony Annese, who’s in his first year as coach of Ferris State after three seasons with Grand Rapids Community College, frowns upon the behavior.

“I don’t like it at all,” he said. “Fans have their rights, I suppose, but I’m not a fan.”

When it comes to voicing displeasure from the football stands, the standards and practices are don’t boo in high school but the NFL and its players are fair game.

“It’s very difficult to earn a slot on a major college team’s roster from high school, and only 2.4 percent of these young players ever make it to the next level,” writes Knonick, who was married to veteran major college football coach Dave Currey. “These are kids just out of high school who have devoted their lives to the game. Most will not become millionaires, or even go pro, so I wish fans would give them a break.”

The level of play matters, Mitchell said.

“You get to an Alabama or Michigan or Michigan State and with what a lot of those venues are charging for tickets and with how much revenue is being generated, you’re starting to get closer and closer to being professional-level athletes,” he said. “Fans are paying a lot of money for some of those games. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but that’s the culture you’re with at that level.”

Grand Valley State receiver Charles Johnson, an All-American honorable mention last season, said a fan has never impacted his level of play either way.

“Really, it doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “I know when I’ve done well or when I’ve screwed up. I’m so focused on the field, I never hear it anyway.”